In a class I attended on gut health at Prep School, a wellness cooking club based in San Francisco, we learned to look at digestion as a whole. You may have heard the phrase, "You are what you eat," but Lila's version goes like this: "You are what you assimilate, and don't eliminate."

Meaning you can eat the healthiest foods and still feel terrible if your body is not absorbing the nutrients in the best way possible. For example, if constipation is an issue for you, Lila says it's like giving your body a "to-do" on its elimination list that rarely gets checked off. Too many bodily "to-dos" that don't get addressed properly can lead to health challenges down the line.

Thankfully, many of these issues can be prevented by following these practical digestion tips from Lila below.

2. Keep the temperature of your foods in mind.

A big, cold salad may not be as digestion-friendly as you think, according to Lila. Avoiding cold foods is common practice in Traditional Chinese medicine, and although it hasn't been studied, could provide help to you. To counter the cooler temperature and build up your digestive fire, she recommends sipping on hot water or tea before, during, or after your meals.

3. Chew your food.

This one seems like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised! Many of us inhale our food when we're short on time. "Breaking up your food into the smallest pieces you can is only going to be beneficial for the rest of your digestive system and the way food assimilates into your body," Lila told us.

5. Populate your gut with beneficial bacteria.

Eating more fermented foods, including sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and well-source soy products (like tofu and tempeh), can promote a healthy microbiome. This can help with leaky gut and other digestive issues.

Related: 20 Best Foods for a Healthy Gut (provided by Eat This, Not That!)